Outreach
“When your greatest source of joy intersects with the needs of the world, go and find that place and hear God’s calling at the crossroads.”—Bryan Sirchio
Our members have found many crossroads where God’s call has been heard.
We reach out . . . . . to each other
Home Communions - communion brought to homebound members who can't attend church in December and during the spring.
Called to Care Visitation Program - 15 volunteers from church visit monthly 30 homebound members throughout the community.
Elder/Deacon of the Week - A ministry where an Elder or Deacon of the church is available every week to provide, prayer, visitation, and spiritual guidance to church members. The Elder or Deacon of the week is listed every week in the worship bulletin.
Caring Casserole Ministry - casseroles and other foods are delivered to the sick, those who are grieving, and families who have a new baby.
Van Transportation to Worship - limited mobility members are provided transportation to Sunday worship.
Music Scholarships - help Bethlehem’s children develop their musical talents by helping to pay for music lessons.
Camp Scholarships for children to attend Christian Camps during summer break.
Campus Connection - letters of support and gifts sent to Bethlehem’s college students during finals week each semester.
We reach out . . . . to others in the local community
“Undie Sunday”- new socks and underwear collected for local school children and delivered through the EVSC’s PTA Clothing Bank
Evansville Protestant Home - ministers lead worship quarterly, and the church provides gift bags and regular volunteers.
Good Samaritan Home - ministers volunteer to lead worship quarterly, volunteers from church come regularly to help in many areas of the nursing home.
Habitat for Humanity - Our church has made a major commitment to this important community program by donating over $100,000 in the past eleven years and providing labor, and leadership in building five houses individually or with other churches in Evansville.
Outreach Ministries - Bethlehem provides $3,000 in its budget to this Evansville organization which helps people with utility bills, food, emergency assistance, etc.
United Caring Shelter (pictured above) - weekly volunteers from Bethlehem serve as cooks and helpers in this ministry to the homeless.
United Family Counseling Services - financial support and leadership given for this counseling service, where reduced fees for personal and family counseling are provided.
Goodwill Family Center - provides transitional housing and job skill training for homeless families. Regular volunteer and financial support provided.
Christmas gifts for needy families - a family is “adopted” from the community and Christmas gifts are given to all family members.
Shriners’ Transportation – books and toys are collected to give to children who visit nearby Shriners’ Hospitals. These items bring cheer and entertain children during the long road trips and hospital visits.
Veterans of the Cross - financial help to retired members of the clergy.
Food Bank of Evansville and the YWCA Food Bank – regular collection of non-perishable foods are collected and delivered each month, and special collection projects often occur in Sunday School classes.
Youth Mission Trip – senior and middle high youth plan and carry out regular mission trips – most recently here in Evansville! They also have gone to Denver, Atlanta, Rockford, Illinois, Shamokin, Pennsylvania, Chicago, and the Heifer Ranch in Arkansas.
Weekday Christian Education Ministry and Evansville Community of Churches- church members volunteer for fundraising projects and church gives regular financial support.
Our building is home to a Family Anonymous Group and two Girl Scout troops.
We reach out . . . . to the people in the world
OCWM - Our Church’s Wider Mission- our largest mission supports the Tri-State Association of 30 local churches and the Indiana Kentucky Conference and National United Church of Christ. OCWM funds local, regional, and international missions. We are one of the top five givers to OCWM in the Indiana-Kentucky Conference.
Halloween UNICEF - children “trick or treat” house to house in nearby neighborhoods and collect money for UNICEF.
Eden Seminary - regular financial support to the seminary and to students in the form of scholarships.
Ministerial training - Bethlehem supports three United Church of Christ seminaries in the Midwest.
